Impregnation of textiles



Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE- IMPREGNATION OF TEXTILES Franz Hoelkeskalnp, Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany, assignor to American Bomber-g Corporatron, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application August 18, 1932, Serial No. 629,401. In Germany October 10, 15131 4 Claims.

5 sions for the impregnation and waterproofing of fabrics is well known. The main objection to the known processes, however, is that textiles, so treated, rapidly lose their water-repelling power. This is especially true where the textiles have been subjected to several washings.

One object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a process which will render fabrics, textiles, etc., permanently waterproof.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims.

Basically, my new process comprises the steps of treating the textiles or fabrics with aqueous salt solutions of heavy metals, then with an alkali hydroxide in order to form an insoluble precipitate upon the goods. The textile product is then thoroughly dried so that all water will be extracted from.the precipitate thus formed, and it will be transformed into an inactive condition. Finally, the fabric is treated'with an oil or wax emulsion.

In the event that sensitive or dyed materials are to be so treated, it is necessary to employ the salts of metals, the precipitates of which are not easily oxidized, since any oxidation might cause harmful effects, .and, more especially, occasion irregular dyeing. The alkali hydroxide employed should be applied in dilute solutions so that the textile will not tend to shrink unduly. The use of diluted alkali solutions also acts to aid in the impregnation of dyed fabrics or textiles. It isalso advisable to so govern the quantities of chemicals used that there remains a small excess of the alkali hydroxide in the solution.

EzampZe.An aqueous 15% solution of nickel sulphate is prepared as a bath, and the textile fabric is dipped therein until it has become thoroughly impregnated by the said solution. The excess of the liquid is then extracted from the fabric by means of centrifuging. The fabric is then treated in a very dilute bath of sodium hydroxide. During this operation the nickel sulphate is converted into insoluble nickel hydroxide, and sodium sulphate. The fabric is then removed from this bath and thoroughly dried, the fabric being centrifuged before drying if desired in order that any excess of the alkali may be removed, together with the sodium sulphate. It is very important that the fabric be completely dried since upon this drying the durability and permanency of the insoluble precipitate depends. When the fabric is thoroughly dry it is treated with an aqueous wax-stearine emulsion. emulsion may be prepared by melting five parts of wax and two parts of stearine together, and

then mixing the resultant product, at about '10 to 80 C. with an aqueous 30% solution of sodium tetraborate. This mixture is diluted with an 0.6% solution of soap. After treatment with the wax-stearine emulsion the fabric is again cen- 1 trifuged and dried.

Having now set forth my invention as required by the patent statutes, what I desire to claim is:

1. The process of water-proofing textile materials, consisting in successively treating the textiles in an aqueous solution of nickel sulphate and an alkali hydroxide, so that "an insoluble precipitate is formed on and .in the textile material, drying the textile material thoroughly, and

then treating itwith an emulsion of the group as uble precipitate is formed on and in the textile material, drying the textile material thoroughly,

and then treating it with a wax emulsion.

4. The process of impregnating textile material consisting in successively treating the textiles in a aqueous solution of nickel sulphate and an alkali hydroxide, so that a water-insoluble precipitate is formed on and in the textile material, drying the textile material thoroughly, and then treating it with a wax-stearine emulsion, said emulsion comprising about 5 parts of wax and two parts of stearine dispersed in a aqueous solution of sodium tetraborate.

FRANZ HOELKESKAMP. 

